Until a couple of years ago, Alex was just another mum on the school run, until I accosted her, and the rest, as they say is history! We have since become great mates, and have spent many a night sharing a bottle and putting the world to rights!
As I’ve gotten to know Alex, she has spoken with stark honesty about what it was like to lose her mum, Carole, to Motor Neurone Disease, a progressive illness that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. She and her sister Victoria - who were both just in their early 20s at the time - had to watch their precious mother become slowly trapped in her own body, eventually passing away on Christmas Eve, 2001. I couldn't even begin to imagine what that must have been like.
Alex often speaks of her regret that their beloved mum never got to meet her beautiful children, Evan and Isla, or see her marry her lovely husband Declan. She still misses her mum every single day.
I can’t imagine life without my own mum, and listening to her talk of their Angel of the North, I knew I had nothing to think about when she asked me to join her on this amazing challenge. The 3 Peaks Challenge involves climbing three mountains in just 24 hours - yes, really! I knew I had to say yes, and we now have an amazing team that includes Victoria and some other super school mums. We are a tenacious and determined bunch, and have already started our training with gusto!
We all know it's going to be hard and beyond emotional, but we want to do this, so we can help try and stop this awful, heartbreaking disease from destroying other families.
Please donate what you can, it really will make a difference.
The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to improving the care and support available for people affected by MND .
Thank you again - and wish us luck!
Tracy xx
